Nanocarriers for imaging and therapy applications

Abstract

Nanocarriers and methods of preparation and use of nanocarriers are presented. In some embodiments, a nanocarrier composition comprises an organic liquid comprising a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed therein; and a coating material disposed around the exterior surface of the organic liquid. Biological tissue may be imaged or treated by coming into contact with a nanocarrier composition, and, at least in some embodiments, irradiated.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of imaging comprising:
 providing a nanocarrier contrast agent composition comprising:
 an organic liquid comprising a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed therein, and 
 a coating material disposed around the exterior surface of the organic liquid; 
 applying energy to a biological tissue comprising the nanocarrier composition, wherein applying energy to the biological tissue results in at least partial vaporization of the organic liquid; and 
 
 imaging a biological tissue comprising the nanocarrier contrast agent composition. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying energy to the biological tissue comprises irradiating at least a portion of the biological tissue with a light source or applying a radio frequency field. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanocarrier contrast agent further comprises a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein applying energy to the biological tissue results in release of the therapeutic agent from the nanocarrier composition. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein imaging the biological tissue comprises application of at least one imaging technique selected from the group consisting of: photoacoustic imaging, ultrasound imaging, optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, thermal imaging, nuclear imaging, magnetomotive imaging enhancement, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
       6. A method of therapy comprising:
 contacting a biological tissue with a nanocarrier contrast agent composition comprising:
 an organic liquid comprising a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed therein, 
 a coating material disposed around the exterior surface of the organic liquid, and 
 a therapeutic agent; and 
 applying energy to the biological tissue, wherein applying energy to the biological tissue results in at least partial vaporization of the organic liquid. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein applying energy to the biological tissue results in release of the therapeutic agent from the nanocarrier contrast agent composition. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein applying energy to the biological tissue comprises irradiating at least a portion of the biological tissue with a light source or applying a radio frequency field. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the therapeutic agent is in the organic liquid. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the therapeutic agent is on the exterior surface of the nanocarrier composition. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the nanocarrier contrast agent further comprises a targeting moiety. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 allowing the nanocarrier contrast agent to accumulate in a region of the biological tissue, wherein the targeting moiety facilitated accumulation of the nanocarrier in the region. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the targeting moiety comprises at least one targeting moiety selected from the group consisting of: an antibody, an antibody fragment, a peptide sequence, aptamer, folate, a ligand, a gene component, and a combination thereof.